This is the 76-year-old woman left hospitalised after a disgusting attack in West Belfast last night.

The photo of Maureen Shepherd recovering in hospital was shared with Belfast Live in a bid to get her male attacker caught.

Her nephew Bobby McCann urged people to be extremely careful when out on their own.

Mrs Shepherd is currently recovering in Dundonald Hospital after the attack last night.

She suffered facial injuries after getting off a bus at around 7.30pm last night and turning into the alleyway that leads to Ardmoulin Avenue.

Ardmoulin Avenue

Police said: "The next thing she remembers is being on the ground and an unknown male standing over her. A Nokia phone and money (Euros) was stolen."

The man is described as being approximately 18-19 years old, thin build, about 5’11” tall. He was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood pulled up over his head and a black coloured scarf over his face.

Inspector Mark Cavanagh would ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information to contact Police at Woodbourne on the non-emergency number 101.

Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.